Urgent from Homs Central Prison
Stop the Massacre before it Begins

Through direct calls with human rights and civil parties in the city of Homs, we have learnt that following the declaration issued by the prisoners in Homs Central Prison (in which they declared civil disobedience due to lack of their release despite the presidential decree on 23/10/2012), the forces of the Syrian regime have begun to fire in an arbitrary manner upon the prisoners. News has relayed that three prisoners were killed; their bodies until this moment remain in the courtyard of the prison. The administration of the prison has also cut off all electricity. We have also learnt that units of the Fourth Division are on the brink of raiding cells within the prison, pointing to an eminent massacre unfolding in Homs Central Prison.

We, at the Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) call upon al-Akhdar al-Ibrahimi, the Arab League, and the United Nations to immediately get involved to stop any blood from being shed. We also call for the release of all prisoners as per the Presidential decree issued two days ago, and to stop all arbitrary and repressive arrests.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
25/10/2012